Living Generously // Apples to Apples - Enough for All // November 9, 2025

Devotional

Day 1: Trusting God Over Riches

True security is found not in wealth, but in God’s faithful provision. When we are tempted to place our hope in material possessions or financial stability, we are reminded that God is the one who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. The call is to do good, to be rich in good works, and to be generous and ready to share, so that we may take hold of the life that is truly life. This perspective shifts our focus from the uncertainty of riches to the certainty of God’s care, inviting us to build a foundation for the future rooted in faith and generosity. [02:03]

1 Timothy 6:17-19 (ESV)
"As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life."

Reflection: In what area of your life are you tempted to trust in your own resources rather than God’s provision, and how can you intentionally shift your hope to God today?

Day 2: The Blessing of Generosity

Generosity leads to abundance, while withholding leads to want; those who give freely are enriched and blessed. The wisdom of Proverbs teaches that a generous person will be enriched, and those who share with the poor are blessed. This principle is not just about material wealth, but about the fullness of life that comes from open-handed living. When we give, whether it is bread to the hungry or kindness to a neighbor, we participate in God’s cycle of blessing, both receiving and giving in ways that nourish our souls and our communities. [02:03]

Proverbs 11:24-25; 22:9 (ESV)
"One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want. Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered. Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor."

Reflection: Who is someone in your life you can bless with a generous act today, even if it feels small or simple?

Day 3: Giving from the Heart, Not from Abundance

True generosity is measured not by the amount given, but by the heart and sacrifice behind the gift. The story of the widow who gave two coins at the temple reminds us that God values the spirit in which we give more than the size of our offering. While others may give out of their abundance, the widow gave all she had, demonstrating deep trust and devotion. We are invited to examine our own giving—whether of time, resources, or love—and to consider if we are offering God our best, even when it costs us something. [04:22]

Luke 21:1-4 (ESV)
"Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the offering box, and he saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. And he said, 'Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.'"

Reflection: Is there an area where God is calling you to give sacrificially, not just from your surplus, and what would it look like to respond in faith?

Day 4: Overcoming Fear and Self-Gratification

Fear and self-gratification often tempt us to hoard rather than share, but God calls us to trust and generosity. We are made in the image of a generous God, yet the voices of fear—worrying about not having enough—and the desire for instant gratification can keep us from giving freely. When we surrender these voices to God and allow the Holy Spirit to transform us, we find freedom to give and to care for others, discovering that our true security and joy come from God, not from what we possess. [10:31]

Philippians 4:19 (ESV)
"And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus."

Reflection: What fear or desire for self-satisfaction is holding you back from generosity, and how can you invite God to help you release it today?

Day 5: The Spiritual Fruit of Generosity

Generosity is not just about material giving, but about growing in love, joy, and gratitude as we follow Jesus. When we give, we receive blessings that go beyond the physical—peace, joy, and a deeper sense of connection with God and others. Jesus teaches that the measure we use in giving will be the measure we receive, not just in things, but in the fruit of the Spirit that grows within us. As we serve others, especially those in need, we serve Christ himself and experience the abundant life he promises. [13:28]

Luke 6:38; Matthew 25:35-40 (ESV)
"Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you."
"For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me... Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me."

Reflection: How have you experienced spiritual or emotional blessings as a result of giving, and how might God be inviting you to grow in generosity this week?

Sermon Summary

Today, as we gathered around tables for Brunch Church, we reflected on the abundance God has given us and the call to live generously. Drawing from 1 Timothy and Proverbs, we heard the wisdom that our hope is not in uncertain riches, but in God, who provides for us so richly. We are invited to be “rich in good works, generous, and ready to share,” building a foundation for the kind of life that is truly life. Proverbs reminds us that generosity is not just a duty, but a blessing—those who give freely are themselves enriched, and those who share with the poor are blessed.

Stories have a way of reaching our hearts, and I shared two that have shaped my understanding of generosity. The first was of a woman with significant challenges who, despite her limited means, found joy in giving animal crackers and small gifts to the children of her church. Her giving was not about the size of the gift, but the spirit in which it was given—a spirit of love and participation in God’s work. The second story was about a church member who, though reluctant and even resentful, gave away her sandwiches to someone in need, only to find herself unexpectedly provided for by another’s generosity. These stories remind us that generosity is not always easy or convenient, but it is deeply woven into our identity as people made in the image of a generous God.

We are created to be generous, yet we often struggle with the voices of fear and self-gratification. Fear tells us to hold tightly to what we have, and our culture tempts us to believe that our worth is measured by our possessions. But when we allow Christ to transform us, our fears begin to fade, and our hearts are freed to give. Generosity becomes the fruit of spiritual growth, not a transaction for blessing, but a response to God’s love and provision. As we give, we find that God’s blessings—peace, joy, gratitude—overflow in our lives, and we become part of God’s work in the world.

Key Takeaways

1. Generosity is rooted in God’s character God’s own nature is generous, and we are made in God’s image. Our impulse to give is not just a moral obligation, but a reflection of who God is and who we are meant to be. When we give, we participate in God’s ongoing work of provision and care for the world. [09:50]
2. Fear and self-gratification hinder true generosity The voices of fear and self-centeredness tempt us to hoard and withhold. Fear makes us anxious about our own security, while self-gratification convinces us that happiness comes from keeping more for ourselves. True generosity requires us to trust God as our provider and to resist the cultural lie that our lives consist in the abundance of possessions. [10:31]
3. Generosity transforms both giver and receiver When we give, especially when it is difficult, we open ourselves to God’s transforming work. The blessings that come are not always material, but often spiritual and emotional—peace, joy, and a deeper sense of connection to God and others. Generosity is not a transaction, but a way of life that shapes us into Christ’s likeness. [14:09]
4. Giving is an act of worship and trust From the earliest times, God’s people have expressed their devotion through offerings. Our giving is not about earning God’s favor, but about expressing gratitude and trust. As we offer what we have, we honor God and declare our dependence on God’s provision, not our own resources. [12:16]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:29] - Enough for All Campaign
[01:07] - Invitation to Commitment
[01:29] - Wisdom from Timothy and Proverbs
[02:03] - Proverbs on Generosity
[02:32] - The Power of Storytelling
[03:45] - Jesus, the Widow, and the Pharisees
[05:06] - Story: The Generous Neighbor
[06:52] - Story: Reluctant Sandwich Sharing
[09:17] - Brunch Church Discussion
[09:50] - Created for Generosity
[10:31] - Voices That Hinder Generosity
[11:35] - Spiritual Growth and Generosity
[12:16] - Offerings as Worship
[13:28] - Jesus on Giving and Blessing
[14:48] - Final Reflection and Prayer
[15:47] - Closing and Blessing

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

1 Timothy 6:17-19 (ESV) — > As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.

Proverbs 11:24-25 (ESV) — > One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want. Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.

Luke 6:38 (ESV) — > Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.

Observation Questions

According to 1 Timothy 6:17-19, what are the specific instructions given to those who have wealth?
In Proverbs 11:24-25, what happens to those who give freely compared to those who withhold?
In the sermon, what were the two stories shared about generosity, and what made each act of giving significant? [05:06] / [06:52]
What does Jesus say about giving in Luke 6:38, and how does this connect to the idea of blessing?

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Paul warns against setting our hope on riches rather than on God? How does this relate to the way we view our own resources?
The sermon mentions that generosity is “deeply woven into our identity as people made in the image of a generous God.” What does it mean for generosity to be part of our identity, not just our actions? [09:50]
The stories shared in the sermon show both joyful and reluctant giving. What do these stories teach about the heart behind generosity and how God responds to it? [05:06] / [06:52]
The sermon talks about fear and self-gratification as voices that hinder generosity. Why are these so powerful, and how do they show up in our daily decisions? [10:31]

Application Questions

The sermon described a woman who gave animal crackers and small gifts to children, even though she had very little. Is there something small you could give or share this week, even if it feels insignificant? What might hold you back? [05:06]
Have you ever felt reluctant or even resentful about giving, like the church member who gave away her sandwiches? What happened, and how did you see God at work in that situation? [06:52]
The sermon says that fear and self-gratification can keep us from being generous. What is one area of your life where fear or the desire for comfort makes it hard to give? How could you take a small step to trust God more in that area? [10:31]
Generosity is described as a fruit of spiritual growth, not a transaction for blessing. How can you shift your mindset from “giving to get” to “giving as worship and trust”? [12:16]
Think about a time when someone else’s generosity blessed you. How did it impact your view of God or your willingness to be generous yourself? [08:36]
The sermon says, “We are created to be generous.” What is one practical way you can reflect God’s generosity in your family, workplace, or neighborhood this week? [09:50]
The Bible says, “Give, and it will be given to you.” What is one thing you feel God prompting you to give—time, encouragement, resources, or something else? What step can you take this week to act on that prompting? [13:28]

Sermon Clips

This fear along with a misplaced idea about the true source of our security keeps us from being generous and leads us to hoard and not share. The truth is that hoarding does not offer us security in the world. When we die we will all give up all that we have had here. To be with God who is the source of the true security in our life. [00:10:45] (24 seconds) #TrueSecurityInGod

The other voice is the voice of self-satisfaction, self-gratification, instant gratification. We want what we want and we want it right now. Our culture tells us that our lives consist in the abundance of our possessions and pleasurable experiences so we find ourselves thinking if I give there won't be enough for me. [00:11:08] (26 seconds) #ResistingInstantGratification

When we give our lives to Jesus, invite Jesus to be the Lord of our life, the King of our life and allow the Holy Spirit to begin changing us from the inside out we find that our fears begin to dissipate and our aim in life shifts from our personal pleasure to pleasing God and caring for others. [00:11:34] (21 seconds) #TransformedBySpirit

Although we still may wrestle with the voices from time to time we're able to silence them more readily and effectively and the more then we will grow in Christ. We realize our lives belong to Jesus and once we accept Jesus as the prime mover and shaker in our lives then we become more generous. Generosity is the fruit of spiritual growth. [00:11:55] (29 seconds) #GenerosityIsGrowth

We realize our lives belong to Jesus and once we accept Jesus as the prime mover and shaker in our lives then we become more generous. Generosity is the fruit of spiritual growth. [00:12:06] (18 seconds)

So from the earliest biblical times the primary way people worshiped God was by building an altar and offering the fruit of one's labors upon the altar to God. They would burn the sacrifice of an animal or a grain as a way of expressing their gratitude, their devotion and their desire to honor God. [00:12:24] (21 seconds) #WorshipThroughOffering

It wasn't that God loved the smell of burnt meat and grain, rather God saw that people were giving a gift that expressed love and faith and the desire to please and honor God and this moved God's heart. When given in this spirit our offerings bless the Lord. [00:12:48] (17 seconds) #HeartfeltOfferings

Now Jesus isn't just talking about how much stuff we have but Jesus is also talking about the fruit of the spirit, the love and peace and joy and gratitude, and generosity that grow in us as we give to God. [00:13:28] (15 seconds) #FruitOfTheSpiritGiving

There may be times we get physical blessings, such as when the member of the church got a sandwich after giving a sandwich away, but we do not give to God just so we can get something back. The amazing thing is that when we give to God and to others, the blessings just seem to appear in our life. [00:14:11] (21 seconds) #GenerosityIsSpiritualFruit

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